Albert Mackey gave this definition for the philosophy and objectives of Masonry:

“Now, then, I contend that the philosophy of Freemasonry is engaged in the contemplation of the divine and human character; of GOD as one eternal, self-existent being, in contradiction to the mythology of the ancient peoples..; of MAN as an immortal being, preparing in the present life for an eternal future…

“These two doctrines, then, of the unity of God and immortality of the soul, constitute the philosophy of Freemasonry. When we wish to define it succinctly, we say that it is an ancient system of philosophy which teaches these two dogmas” (The Symbolism of Freemasonry, Mackey, pp. 11-12).

Here we have perhaps the greatest Masonic scholar of all time defining Freemasonry as “an ancient system of philosophy which teaches these two dogmas” (the nature of Deity and man’s immortality, jrp). Its objective is to “engage in the contemplation of the divine and human character.” This is what Masonry is. It is not first and foremost a social organization. It is a religious organization designed to speculate upon the subjects of deity and man’s immortality. And remember, this speculative, religious organization originated with man, not God!

The “official manual or monitor of the Grand Lodge of Texas, A. F. & A. M.,” records what the Entered Apprentice is told as he enters the Lodge for the first time:

“Freemasonry… rests upon the indestructible foundation of the Father-hood of God, the Brotherhood of Man, and the Immortality of the Soul… Freemasonry is, in one of its major aspects, a beautiful and profound system of morality, veiled in allegories and illustrated by symbols. Its grand purposes are, to diffuse light; to banish ignorance; to promote peace and happiness among mankind; to relieve distress; to protect the widows and orphans of our brethren; to inculcate a wider knowledge concerning the existence of the Grand Architect of the Universe, and of the arts and sciences connected with His Divine laws. In fine, the design is to make its members wiser, freer, better and consequently happier men” (Lightfoot’s Manual of the Lodge, p. 8) 

     These objectives of Masonry sound admirable and worthy to those who desire integrity, morality and a reverence for God to prevail upon the earth. And they are worthy objectives. The only problem is, these same objectives are to be sought and obtained, not by means of a human organization by a process of symbols and allegories, but as members of a divine organization, the Lord’s church, as one comes to understand, believe and obey the gospel of Jesus Christ!

     Freemasonry is in direct competition with the objectives of Christianity in many respects. No man can serve two masters, and if we are not with Christ we are against Him (Matt. 6:24; 12:30). The Mason cannot have it both ways. Christianity is authorized to perpetuate the very objectives Masonry claims to achieve. Consider the objectives which are stated to the Entered Apprentice from the previous quotation, and see that the same can be said of Christians in the Lord’s church:

1. The diffusion of light, Jno 8:12; Phil 2:15-16
2. To banish ignorance, Jno 8:31-32; Eph 5:17; l Tim 2:3-4
3. Promote peace and happiness among mankind, Rom 12:17-18
4. Relieve distress, Gal 6:10; Mark 14:7
5. Protect the widows and orphans of our brethren, Acts 6:1-6; l Tim 5:16; Jas 1:27
6. Inculcate knowledge of God and His divine laws, Matt 28:19-20; Acts 17:22-31
7. Make members free, better and happier, Jno 8:32-36; Rom 6:17-18; Matt 5:3-12

     Why settle for a human imitation of the real thing? We must do God’s will in God’s way. We cannot add to the church a human institution with worthy objectives and then claim its validity upon that basis. If God has not authorized it, it is wrong, no matter how good it looks to man!

Speculative Masonry

     In defining Freemasonry it is necessary to understand the basis upon which it uses symbolism and allegories to inculcate its “science of morality” and “system of doctrines.” This basis is found in using the tools and implements of architecture and building principles to signify and teach its particular doctrines. Masonry uses the tools of Operative Masonry as symbols to teach and instruct its members in Speculative Masonry. The Operative Mason, for example, used the square and compass, the twenty-four inch gauge and gavel, the plumb line, the trestle-board, the level and the trowel as he worked on stone and erected buildings of stone and mortar. Speculative Masonry assigns symbolic meanings to these “tools of the trade” and thereby instructs its members on how to erect their own spiritual temples. The man entering the Fellow Craft degree of Masonry is told, for instance:

   “We work in Speculative Masonry, but our ancient brethren wrought in both Operative and Speculative. They worked at the building of King Solomon’s Temple, and many other sacred and important edifices.

   “By Operative Masonry we allude to a proper application of the useful rules of architecture, whence a structure will derive figure, strength and beauty…

   “By Speculative Masonry we learn to subdue the passions, act upon the square, keep a tongue of good report, maintain secrecy, and practice charity. It is so far interwoven with religion as to lay us under obligations to pay that rational homage to the Deity, which at once constitutes our duty and our happiness.” (Lightfoot’s Manual of the Lodge, pp. 40-41; emp., jrp) 

     There you have it from their own book. Speculative Masonry is “interwoven with religion” and obligates one to worship Deity through their means. But the Bible says, “unto him be the glory in the church in Christ Jesus unto all generations…” (Eph. 3:21). When man worships God, it must be “in spirit and truth” (Jn. 4:24). That is, it must be authorized by God as well as coming forth from a right heart. Speculative Masonry is without divine authority, therefore, those who practice it are worshipping God in vain (Matt. 15:8-9).

     Lest someone should still think Masonry is not a distinct, religious philosophy, please consider this definition of Speculative Masonry from their own, authorized book:

   “Speculative Masonry may be briefly defined as the scientific application and the moral consecration of the rules and principles, the language, the implements and materials, of Operative Masonry to the veneration of God and purification of the heart; and the inculcation of the Dogmas of a religious philosophy” (Lightfoot’s Manual of the Lodge, p. 204; emp., jrp).

     Speculative Masonry is designed to venerate God and purify the heart – a plainer, more direct definition cannot be requested or obtained! Everyone who is a Freemason is a member of an organization designed for the express purpose of worshipping God and purifying the heart -- the exact purposes achieved in the Lord’s church! (Eph. 5:25-27; Jn. 4:23-24; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 5:8-14; Jas. 4:7-10)

     Should a Christian (or for that matter, anyone) be a member of and give his support to a human organization which claims the same objectives as the Lord’s church? Of course not. Consider the propriety of the apostle’s words when he said:

   “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” (Gal. 1:6-8)

     Freemasonry is clearly a religious philosophy which has been devised by man. Therefore, it must be rejected as an addition to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS

1. The Father has committed all judgment to the Son, Jno 5:22; Acts 17:30-31; Rev 20:11f.

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